“Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow” (Ezekiel 24:17).
Two girls stood anxiously in the corner of the house. At the ages of 12 and 14, they were especially embarrassed to see their mother sobbing in front of a guest who was visiting from out of town. Unfortunately, they were not surprised. Their mother had been having a hard time controlling her emotions ever since the sudden death of their brother.
What made the situation especially painful was that their brother had lacked interest in spiritual things. He had been infamous for his love of pleasure. He had been careless with his health and, as a result, he contracted the illness that killed him.
On their way home, their mother seemed more cheerful. She explained that during her conversation, she was urged to focus her attention on her girls and her own salvation. Most important, the visitor had told her, “If you keep thinking that God has been cruel to you, you will never be able to be a good mother to your daughters.”
The prophet Ezekiel experienced a similar sorrow. Knowing that his wife would die, it was still one of the most difficult times in his life. He was not allowed to mourn for her because he was to show the Israelites that they also would not be able to mourn when their children would fall to invading enemies. The Israelites were about to be carried away from their homeland because of their wickedness, and God was giving the strongest warnings that He could.
Yet Ezekiel made it through the silent sighs and went on to offer some of the most encouraging promises in the Bible. While it is sometimes difficult to understand why certain things happen, there is hope that the redeemed will one day be healed by the leaves of the tree of life. Ezekiel was the first to convey this promise.
Father, my sorrow is sometimes difficult to bear, but I will rejoice when You comfort me.
